Is it worth buying a plug-in hybrid car?
A plug-in hybrid is a useful step towards running a fully electric car, so long as you can recharge at home. If you can’t, a regular hybrid makes more sense. Provided you do have a drive or garage, a plug-in hybrid combines exhaust-emissions-free short journeys with hassle-free long trips. Plug-in hybrids also charge while you’re on the go, just like standard hybrid cars. Your vehicle will regenerate some charge using the braking and internal combustion engine set-up as you drive. Being a hybrid, you also have the reassurance of being able to fall back on the conventional engine if the battery runs out.What happens if you never charge your plug-in hybrid? Whether it’s self-charging or a plug-in – all hybrids run on their petrol or diesel engines even if the battery is depleted. That means if you’re unsure where to charge a hybrid car while travelling, you won’t be stuck when the battery runs dry.But what happens if a plug-in hybrid doesn’t get plugged in? TL, DR: Nothing. More specifically, it continues to operate just like a regular hybrid. Its larger battery makes it heavier than a comparable hybrid, but it may also offer a bit more electric assistance and quicker acceleration as a tradeoff.This is because a plug-in hybrid is capable of being powered by petrol or diesel alone should the electric battery need recharging. In a fully electric vehicle, once the electric battery is out of charge, the vehicle will no longer be able to move.
What is the disadvantage of a plug-in hybrid?
Plug-in hybrids tend to be more expensive than hybrid vehicles. The added flexibility and convenience of using all-electric power for shorter drives while still being able to rely on the gasoline engine come with an added cost. Still, the money spent upfront may balance out with the lower fuel charges. Pros: PHEVs can run on a more efficient all-electric drivetrain for short distances (see left. Cons: As they have larger batteries than a hybrid, PHEVs weigh more, so they use more fuel. Multiple reports show that PHEVs are far less efficient3 than lab tests claim.The Best Overall Plug-in Hybrid Car: Toyota Prius PHEV The Prius has always been the go-to option for this type of car. Just like the Tesla Model 3 is the iPhone of EVs, the Toyota Prius PHEV is the default choice for anyone who’s looking for an affordable gas-powered car that can also be charged at home overnight.Why Choose a Plug-in Hybrid in 2025? Plug-in hybrids can be a great stepping stone between combustion engines and fully electric driving. Here’s when a PHEV might suit you: You do short trips daily but still need to make long journeys now and then.Whilst both types of hybrids are extremely efficient for urban driving, if you find the idea of manually charging inconvenient, you may be suited to a regular HEV. But, if you want the option to go on longer journeys emission-free, or you have a longer commute, PHEVs could be an excellent choice.Are plug-in hybrid cars too good to be true? After all, they claim to offer the best of both worlds from both petrol and electric power, with enough EV range for your commute and the backup of a petrol engine for longer journeys. The trouble is, they’re also more expensive to buy than petrol-powered cars.
Should I charge my plug-in hybrid every day?
There may be times when you want or need to charge up your EV to get maximum range. But charging it to the max shouldn’t be done every night. Generally, the battery’s SOC in your electric car should be maintained between 30% and 80% capacity. As EVs get older, the batteries progressively degrade. It is expected that at around 75% of the battery’s original capacity, it has reached the end of its life in an EV. In reality what this means is that if the car was sold with 400 km driving range, at the end of its useful life it could be down to around 300 km.